Penile Implant Surgery

There are two types of penile implant procedures:

Inflatable penile prothesis (IPP): offers a more natural aesthetic and feel. These implants come in a two or three piece system, with cylinders in the penis, a pump in the scrotum, and a resevoir in the abdomen (if three pieces). This allows the patient to inflate for an erection and deflate for a natural flaccid look.

Semi-rigid malleable implants: a less costly option that permanently enlarge the penis with malleable implants that maintain rigidity at all times.

Your surgeon will better describe your options based on your circumstances, but in general, IPPs are preferred because they offer more natural look and feel with better concealment. Malleable implants may be better if you're looking for a more cost-effective, simpler solution.

Timing

Short, reliable timelines for consult and surgery—measured in weeks, not months—for a faster path back to intimacy and confidence.

Choice & control

Ability to choose a surgeon based on what's important to you (i.e. specific expertise, experience, qualifications, personal connection); and device that fits your lifestyle. Discuss incision options (penoscrotal vs infrapubic), concealability, and plans if Peyronie’s disease or scarring is present.

Clarity

Private pathways typically provide a clear quote and date, so you can arrange time off, caregiver help, and rehab. This certainty can ease anxiety and help families plan for recovery.

Preventing further decline

With long‑standing ED, scar tissue can form and length can diminish. Definitive treatment sooner can help preserve length and function—and reduce the mental load that comes with waiting.

1. ‍Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that a penile implant makes sense.
   ‍
2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private penile implant surgery.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
     ‍‍
3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
     ‍‍
4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
   ‍
5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
     ‍‍
6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

Before

• Review health history, device options, and your goals (look, feel, function, concealment).
• Infection‑prevention plan (skin prep, antibiotics).
• Set expectations: sensitivity and orgasm typically stay the same; erections become on‑demand with the device.

During

• Anesthesia: general or spinal with sedation. Typical time: 60–120 minutes.
• Incision: penoscrotal or infrapubic.
• Placement: cylinders inside the erectile bodies; for inflatable devices, a small pump sits in the scrotum and a reservoir in the lower abdomen.

The recovery process varies patient to patient. Your recovery might look quite different, so please seek further guidance from your surgeon. In general here is what you can expect:

Week 1:

• Goals: Pain and swelling management, wound protection.

• Activities:
  
  • Same day discharge.
  • Pain and swelling managed with medication.
  • Focus on keeping the area clean to avoid infection.
  • Rest and limited movement.

Weeks 2-4:

• Goals: Wound healing and slowly returning to daily activity.
  

• Activities:
  
  • Wound care.
  • Short, light walks. Still avoiding sexual activity and exercise.

Weeks 5-12:

• Goals: Device training (IPP), sexual activity clearance, return to normal activity

• Activities:
  
  • Training with IPP under surgeon guidance.
  • Receiving clearance for sexual activity.
  • Resuming most normal activities.
  • Most patients are fully healed within 12 weeks.

Weeks 13-52:

• Goals: Full device functionality, return to active hobbies and sport.

• Activities:
  
  • Confidence operating IPP.
  • Regular followups for device monitoring and addressing any concerns.
  • Usually a full return to active hobbies and sport. For high impact sport, please consult your surgeon.

Private clinics in Canada charge between $6,000 - $16,000.

In the United States, the average cost is CA$27,200.

Costs vary so much because of surgery type (malleable implant vs inflatable (IPP) device), location, surgeon experience, facility type, complexity, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

What’s included

• Surgeon fees and anesthesia professional fees
• Facility/OR fees
• The implant device (brand/model specified)
• Routine pre‑op testing ordered by your surgeon
• In‑facility meds and antibiotics
• Early follow‑up visit(s) plus device activation and teaching
• Standard supplies (dressings, scrotal support)

What’s usually not included:

• Extra imaging/labs outside routine pre‑op
• Overnight hospital stay if not planned, or unplanned admission
• Brand or model changes after quoting
• Take‑home prescriptions (if not covered by your plan)
• Future revision/replacement beyond device warranty

Insurance and financing options

• Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees. It’s important to check your policy directly.
• Financing plans: Many clinics offer monthly payment options to help spread out the cost. Learn more about your financing options here.‍
• Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): This is a non-refundable credit that reduces your taxes when you pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical expenses. Learn more about how to claim METC for private surgeries.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going the private route. Here is what to consider when making your choice.

What to look for

• Experience. Ask how many knee replacements they perform each year. Volume and familiarity with the procedure can matter.‍
• Credentials and training.
  
  • ‍Confirm your surgeon is a licensed through their provincial college (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, CPSA in Alberta).
    
  • Ensure they are a certified urologist through the the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

• Specialization. Some surgeons increase their expertise in this area by pursuing additional 1-2 year fellowships for andrology, sexual medicine, or reconstructive urology.
  
• Accreditation of the clinic or hospital. Make sure the clinic is accredited by national bodies such as Accreditation Canada or the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF).
• Support services. Look for clinics that offer coordinated aftercare.

Questions to ask during your penile implant consultation

Another benefit of private surgery is time spent with the surgeon. The consultation will be between 30-60 minutes (but possibly 2hours for complicated cases). Your surgeon should answer most of the questions below, but be sure to bring 5-7 that are important to you.

Surgeon and surgery

• How many implants do you perform each year?
• What are your infection and revision rates?
• Which approach do you recommend for me (penoscrotal vs infrapubic) and why?
• Can you address Peyronie’s disease at the same time if needed? How does that change risks and recovery?
• Which brands/models do you use? What suits my anatomy and goals?
• What’s the expected lifespan and warranty? Common reasons for revision?
• What should I expect for length, girth, sensation, orgasm, and concealment?
• How do you help preserve length and minimize swelling/pain?
• What are my personalized risks (infection, erosion, malfunction, pain, hematoma)? How do you reduce them (antibiotic/no‑touch protocols)?

Post-surgery

• What is the timeline to activation, training, and return to sex?
• What exactly is included in my quote? What could add cost?
• If a complication occurs, how are costs handled? Is there a revision policy?
• How are follow‑ups managed if I’m traveling from another province?